Fake NBA Trade of the Day 5/11/16: Jimmy Butler for Blake Griffin

Every day, Pick and Popovich will post one fake trade and explain why it makes sense for every team involved to make it. There are no parameters beyond fitting within the salary cap. Sometimes the trades will involve stars, others role players. They are not grounded in actual rumors, they just make sense on paper. During the 2016 NBA Playoffs, each week will feature seven fake trades of one star player. This is Jimmy Butler Week.

Chicago Bulls Receive: Los Angeles Clippers Receive:

Blake Griffin Jimmy Butler

Nikola Mirotic

Why Chicago would make this trade: Though he comes with injury risks, Griffin is a franchise player who actually fits with Derrick Rose. They’d need to find a bit more shooting and hope that Griffin’s range eventually extends out to three-point range, but that’s a pair that can really work.

Why Los Angeles would make this trade: It solves their small-ball problem. Butler can defend Draymond Green and hit three’s. He can do quite a bit more as well, but that’s his biggest addition to the Clippers. They could play Butler, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford late in games against the Warriors and feel comfortable with the matchups. Butler’s youth and Mirotic’s shooting pushes it over the top.